California-based electric carmaker Lucid Motors says its upcoming 2025 Air Pure will be the most efficient electric car on the market and possibly the most efficient ever made.
The claims come after the company revealed more about the changes it has made to its already highly energy-efficient Air Pure model, including a new heat pump that is now standard across the range, and an update to much of the computer hardware that controls the software management.
Surprisingly, the battery pack has actually been shrunk, from 88 kWh to 84 kWh, while still driving the rear wheels via a single electric motor. But the tweaks meant Lucid was able to achieve five miles per kWh during testing.
This equates to an EPA-estimated range of 420 miles. While it’s certainly not the longest-range Lucid on the market (that award goes to the Lucid Air Grand Touring with 516 miles), it is the most efficient and least expensive car you can buy right now.
Pricing starts at $69,900 in the US (around £53,000 / AU$102,000), putting the car in competition with the Tesla Model S, which starts slightly lower in the domestic market with a $66,490 starting price (after any electric vehicle rebates).
In electric vehicles, efficiency is key
We all know that electric cars can be blazing fast in a straight line, but most owners and potential buyers are more interested in electric range and, more importantly, efficiency.
Simply driving an EV with more batteries doesn’t always work, because the extra weight negates any mileage gains you might otherwise have made. But Lucid’s breaking of the five miles per kWh barrier is a notable one, because it essentially outperforms every other production EV currently on sale.
To put that into context, the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX Concept, a super-slick, massively aerodynamic test car, achieved up to 8.4 miles per kWh on its runs. That car even managed more than 620 miles on a single charge, but it’s not for sale and it’s not particularly practical.
The Lucid Air Pure, on the other hand, is a stylish four-door sedan with optional massage seats and the ability to accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds if you so desire.
Granted, Lucid’s claims should be considered a best-case scenario, but anything that can reduce the number of trips between charging stations is welcome, as electric cars are increasingly seen as viable alternatives to gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles.